The Week Ahead

Today

* Quarterly earnings report expected from Gateway Inc.

Tuesday

* The Commerce Department reports housing starts for July.

* The Labor Department releases its consumer price index for July.

* The Federal Reserve reports on industrial production for July.

* Quarterly earnings reports expected from Hewlett-Packard Co., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Home Depot Inc. and Nordstrom Inc.

Wednesday

* The Labor Department reports the producer price index for July.

Thursday

* The Conference Board reports its monthly leading economic indicators index.

* Quarterly earnings reports expected from Gap Inc. and Sharper Image Corp.

Friday

* Northwest Air Lines faces a possible strike by its mechanics’ union at midnight.